Decision to ‘Pause’ Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Causes Public Confidence in Vaccine to Sink

YouGov:

Fieldwork for the latest Economist/YouGov poll on vaccine safety perceptions was in the midst of being conducted when the Centers for Disease Control made the decision to suspend the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CDC has recommended a pause on administering doses of the vaccine while it completes an investigation of the six cases of blood clots discovered in women who had been vaccinated with it.

Comparing the results from those who took the survey before the announcement with those who took the survey afterward shows the huge impact the CDC’s decision has had on the perceived safety of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Among those who started the survey before the announcement about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause, about half (52%) considered the shot “very safe” or “somewhat safe” - twice the number who believed it “very unsafe” or “somewhat unsafe.” After the announcement was made, these figures had converged — just 37% called the vaccine safe, and 39% feeling it unsafe.

Good job maligning an excellent vaccine — the only one approved in the U.S. that requires only one dose and does not require extreme refrigeration.

★ Thursday, 15 April 2021